Rensselaer City School District

ParentSquare Communications Platform for Families, Staff and Community

The Rensselaer City School District is launching the ParentSquare platform for all school communications to families and community subscribers. ParentSquare replaces SchoolMessenger & Apptegy/Thrillshare.

ParentSquare is a unified communications platform designed to keep families informed and create greater engagement and connection with the Rensselaer school community.

RCSD will be sending important updates and timely alerts using ParentSquare, primarily communicating through email and the ParentSquare app, based on user preferences. Text message alerts are used for communications as well; phone calls are reserved for emergencies and other time sensitive events and are used when necessary.

All families with a student enrolled at RCSD automatically receive school news and emergency notifications, as long as there is an accurate email and cell phone number in SchoolTool (our Student Information System or SIS). If any of your contact information changes at any time, please contact the school so it can be updated in SchoolTool. If your information is not up-to-date, you will not receive notifications from the district.

ParentSquare offers two-way translation in over 100 languages

With extensive language translation options, ParentSquare offers RCSD families the option of receiving communications in their preferred languages, increasing equity and making communications more accessible. By giving all families control of the language in which they receive and respond to communications, ParentSquare will help eliminate language barriers between school and families and facilitate disseminating important information.

How RCSD will use ParentSquare

RCSD will communicate with families about everyday events and emergency situations via ParentSquare. The type of communication will depend on the type of situation.

Email

Email is one of the primary forms of communication through ParentSquare. Email is used to communicate school-level and district-wide news/events that are non-emergency in nature. Emergency alerts are sent via email in conjunction with other forms of communication.

ParentSquare App

The mobile app & web portal are other forms of communication ParentSquare can utilize. The app is used for the same purposes as email, in addition to facilitating direct, two-way communication between the district and families. The ParentSquare mobile app is available for download for both iOS and Android devices.

Text Messages

Text messages are used for time-sensitive messages and in emergency situations. Parents are automatically registered to receive notifications when they enroll their student in the district. To opt-out of receiving text messages, click the opt-out link in the first text message you receive from ParentSquare. You can also reply STOP to any subsequent text you receive.

Phone Calls

Phone calls are only used in emergency situations.

Resources for Families

Activation Process

ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number that is currently in our SchoolTool system. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

ParentSquare has a variety of features to streamline district/school communications, such as:

• Receive messages from the school via email, text or app notification
• Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6:00 p.m.
• Communicate in your preferred language (set by default based on language setting in SchoolTool)
• Direct message teachers & staff
• RSVP to class events
• Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
• Sign forms & permission slips, receive report cards, sign up to volunteer and more all from your desktop or mobile device

You can activate your ParentSquare account by signing in to ParentSquare using the contact information (email or phone number) that matches the data in your SchoolTool account.

Resources for Staff

Activation Process

ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each staff member, using their preferred email address and phone number that is currently in our SchoolTool system. Classrooms and class rosters are automatically setup in ParentSquare prior to your first login. We encourage staff members to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app, update their preferences and begin using the platform to communicate with students and their families.

ParentSquare has a variety of features to streamline district/school communications such as:

• Receive messages from the school via email, text or app notification
• Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6:00 p.m.
• Communicate in your preferred language (set by default based on language setting in SchoolTool)
• Comment on school postings to engage with your school community
• Direct message parents and other staff members
• Organize class events
• Schedule parent-teacher conferences
• Sign forms, generate permission slips, request volunteers and more all from your desktop or mobile device

You can activate your ParentSquare account by signing in to ParentSquare. Select the sign in with Google option and use your Rensselaer City School District email address.

ParentSquare Community Groups

Community members are encouraged to register for the school district’s “ParentSquare Public Community Group” to receive messages from RCSD. Detailed registration instructions are below.

Community members will receive district announcements that pertain to the whole community (i.e. community forums and events, voting information, significant news and information) and board meeting announcements. Community Groups are intended for anyone not already part of RCSD on ParentSquare as a parent/guardian or staff member. Staff and parents do not have to sign up for Community Groups.